Parts for a [s]78[/s] GMC 2 ton dump bed. Bought a 66 instead.

LeeB · January 26, 2012, 12:29:40 AM

I have an opportunity to buy a 78, 2 ton dump bed, and was wondering about the availability of parts. CAn anybody helpme out with this one and is $2600 a good price for something like this?

sawguy21 · January 26, 2012, 12:49:33 AM

What condition is it in? Is it roadworthy? Drive train parts should not be a problem but the body and trim could be another story. That price would buy a yard beater here.

LeeB · January 26, 2012, 12:54:55 AM

Haven't seen it in person yet, but the pictures look good. Says it has new tires and I see a licence plate and mirrors. Windsheild looks ok in th pics and no outward body damage. May have to pass on though. Just bought some more property and low on cash for now.

Norm · January 26, 2012, 07:08:51 AM

You can never go wrong with more property.

Autocar · January 26, 2012, 07:57:39 AM

I agree with Norm you can't go wrong with more ground ;D

tractormanNwv · January 26, 2012, 10:59:05 AM

Parts are plentiful, is it a gas burner or diesel? hyd brakes or air?

Jim

LeeB · January 26, 2012, 11:08:07 AM

air brakes. Don't know about the engine yet. Have to call.

Just called. It's a gasser.

tractormanNwv · January 26, 2012, 11:28:40 AM

1978? must be a 350 small block or 366 big block, maybe even a 427 big block, ( 427 tall deck ) not to be confused with the 427 you would find in a chevelle. Good ol trucks, we still use some of the GM trucks from the early 80's with the 8.2 detroit diesel ( boat anchor ) in my opinion. We have 1 that has the 366 with a 5sp trans/2sp rear axle, and it actually runs better than the 8.2. Air brakes are a good thing as far as I'm concerned, if you plan on pulling a heavy load you will like them, just keep them properly adjusted, and keep the air tanks free of water.

Jim

reride82 · January 26, 2012, 01:59:33 PM

My dad has a 1979 with the 366/5spd/2spd and it has a 18' grain box and that thing runs better than our GMC Brigadier tandem with a 3208 cat engine. We replaced the carb, distributor and exhaust about ten years ago and it runs and sounds like a hotrod! If anything ever happens to that truck, I think we'll transplant that motor into something more fun! ;D And speaking of chevelle's, my uncle has a truck with a 396 out of a 1969 chevelle. His brother wrecked 2 of those cars and when he wrecked the second one his dad said 'we might as well do something with this one' and they dropped that engine into an old 1963 chevy grain truck. Its the only grain truck that I've seen that can spin its tires on pavement. ;)

LeeB · January 27, 2012, 11:39:55 PM

I went and looked at the truck today. It's in pretty rough shape. The cab has a lotof canceer and the passenger side floorboard is just about all rusted away. It did have good tires and the bed stayed put when raised and never moved the whole time we talked for about 30 minutes. There was a lotof oil on the floorboard around the stick shift. No idea what would cause that. Afraid I will have to pass on this one. I am going to look at another one tommorow. It's even older, a '66 model with 40,000 miles on it. We'll see what it looks like.

sawguy21 · January 28, 2012, 12:16:11 AM

40 grand on a 66??? Probably the third time around on the clock.

park ranger · January 28, 2012, 11:02:16 PM

I have a 2 ton with a dump but can't afford to insure it to drive it on the road, so it's limited to the farm. I would look for a good 1 ton flatbed.

shelbycharger400 · January 28, 2012, 11:12:43 PM

some of those old heavy trucks only got used 2 times a year on a farm, it could be orrigional 60 thousand on the clock.
i looked at 1948? 2 ton.. less than 70k on the clock.. he said he had 5.13 gears, its all orrigional. i think the motor was rebuilt tho.

buddy knows more about this than i do, cant remember it all but it was something like little known fact 366, is the same casting block as the 454, but wasnt finish bored for the 454 size, taller deck means you can make it larger displacement that a 454 with a 454 crank and pistons with special rods

LeeB · January 29, 2012, 08:45:41 AM

The '66 was originally a farm truck and had/has a grain bed. Second gear is a little iffy due to following a combine all it's life. Has 6 cyl in it. Going to look at it today.

LeeB · January 31, 2012, 11:13:20 PM

Bought the old truck today. Runs great and is in very good condition. Will take some pics tommorow.

LeeB · February 08, 2012, 09:45:32 PM

Finally got some pics loaded. The old truck is in good shape. Two of the rear tires had dry rotted though and will have to be replaced. The guy I bought it from swears the milage is original and I beleive him.

sawguy21 · February 08, 2012, 09:52:41 PM

Boy does that bring back some memories. 8) The cab looks to be in very good shape, I like it.

LeeB · February 08, 2012, 10:27:03 PM

The seat needs to be re-upholstered and mice got into someof the wiring. The head lights don't work and the heater fan doesn't work. I also need to find a little bit smaller steering wheel so my fat self can fit under it a little more comfortable. I had a load split cedar rails on it the other day raised a little less than half way up for about an hour and it didn't leak down at all. I'm well pleased with it.

sandhills · February 09, 2012, 10:02:56 PM

I come from the land of old grain/farm trucks ;D, I would have no problem whatsoever believing that was the actual mileage judging by the great shape it's in. Great find Lee, whats it got for an engine?

LeeB · February 09, 2012, 10:23:11 PM

Straight 6, 292.

thecfarm · February 10, 2012, 08:21:11 AM

My brother bought an old ¾ ton Dodge from a feed store. It was used just to deliver grain. Had some real low miles on it. When he was showing it to me,I popped the hood and swore when I looked at the engine. Nice and clean. I like the uncluttered look of the dashboard. Does have a radio.